The end of 2006

I was trying to think of a way to sum up all that was important about this past year.
Is it an alarming confession to state that the year really wasn't all that important at all? Perhaps that's not true. I want to invite you to reflect with me.
In 2006...
1. My eldest son turned 11, my youngest son turned 10, and I turned "pushing 40." Pushing 40 is a fabulous way to reveal my age, because it's a little ambiguous, and it gets people to say flattering things like, "You can't be that old! You look so young!" Which they would never be inspired to say if I lied about my age and claimed to be 30.

2. My sister had a baby girl, my brother had a baby boy, and Jenine didn't have a baby at all. I love my niece and Nephew, and I love Jenine's kids, who happen to be my cousins. Jenine just usually has babies, that's all. She is the Best Mother of Seven in the entire world. I admire and respect her. I want to be her, if you want to know the truth.

3. I earned my brown belt, and broke my Very Stupid Toe Thereby Endangering my Potential for Black Belt. Not that I will let that stop me, exactly. I may have to test with a broken toe, but what an accomplishment that would be!

4. We finished grades 3 and 5, and began grades 4 and 6 in homeschool. Both boys became good swimmers, and even better skiers. They are remarkable as people. I quite like them.

5. We spent almost the entire summer in Swimwear at Eagle Island with Kara. I there learned that my bikini attracts more attention than Kara's, though perhaps in a different way. Some of you will find this difficult to believe, but that's only because you don't know the story. I am not going to tell you either, you'll have to use your imaginations.

6. I broke up with Chuck so frequently, that I lost count. I only went to Seattle 4 times and I constantly complained about Dating. Although it was the total lack of dating, and not actual dates that illicite my ire. If I had a robust dating experience, then I could complain about men, and that would be far more blogable. As it is, I could complain about Chuck, but then I would regret it in our "on" phases, and that would be emotionally taxing. Of course, one day he is going to realize that he can't bear life without me, and he will show up and propose, and we will elope, and then you will be so surprised when I blog that I got married because you didn't see it coming. Or not.

7. I learned how to wield a Chinese Broadsword, and how to Bellydance. There are other things that I want to learn in the next year...how am I going to top swordplay and bellydancing? Hmmmm, I am not sure yet. But I will, you know. It's my nature.

8. I also learned that I am obsessed about my weight, I am an inadequate parent, I can gain or lose 10 ponds in the blink of an eye, I have abandonment issues, and I am emotionally unstable. Also, that I am "stubborn and Pigheaded", "stoic and vague", and have an unusually high tolerance for pain. It's been a humbling year.

9. I began attending a house church that I love with all my heart. House church is really very different that a regular kind of church. You should try it. It's not for the faint of heart. I, as you know, am many things, but I am not fainthearted. Some may wish I were.

10. Finally, (because a list of 10 is list enough), 2006 was a wonderful year because of the people in my life. You strangers in cyberspace whom I enjoy so much.
You close people who serve me and love me and put up with me.
And my family whom I love beyond measure.
May God bless your memories of the past year. May He surprise and delight you in the year ahead.